TOLL-GATE SYSTEM

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVII, Issue 10963, 27 July 1921, Page 5

TOLL-GATE SYSTEM

DIFFERENCE OF OPINION IN TARANAKI. INQUIRY "by” EXPERTS. Per Press Association. NEW PLYMOUTH, July 26. The committee of engineers of the Public Works Department, who liavo been appointed to inquire into the applications of the various local bodies in Taranaki for permission to erect tollgates, sat here to-day. The members of the committee are: Messrs' G. T. Murray (inspecting engineer), H. H. Sharp (staff engineer), and T. M. Ball (district engineer). ■ The order of reference is as follows: (1) In what manner have conditions now altered that special action is now considered necessary in regard to the upkeep of roads? (2) What special action is now advocated ? (3) What are the alternatives? Representatives of local bodies made statements setting emit the various points of view or those concerned in toll-gates in Taranaki. _ The local County Council’s case was in favour of toll-gates as a means of revenue far the upkeep of tho roads, hut this was rebutted by the Borough Council and Chamber of Commerce on the grounds that toll-gates were retrogressive and if' all local bodies adopted them the Dominion would be barricaded with gates. An increase in the subsidy to local bodies and a tyre tax were suggested as an alternative source of revenue. LOCAL BODIES’ VIEWS. Evidenoe from local bodies in Taranaki on the question of erecting tollgates is being heard this week by the committee of engineers of the Public Works Department which has been set Up by the Government to prepare a report on the question. The committee, which is comjMrised of Messrs G. T. Murray, C. J. McKenzie, and H. H. Sharp, sat at the New Plymouth Borough Council Chambers yesterday, and will sit at the Stratford Courthouse to-day, at the Hawera Borough Council Chambers to-morrow, and at Wanganui on Friday.'